Governor Perdue Orders Flags Lowered to Half Staff to Honor Georgia Servicemembers

Details Released of Prayer Vigil and Statewide Moment of Silence

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue signed an Executive Order today directing flags on all state buildings and grounds be lowered to half staff tomorrow, August 18, to honor Georgia servicemembers who have laid down their lives and those who remain in the service of their country in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

The Prayer Vigil is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the State Capitol, and the Statewide Moment of Silence is scheduled at precisely 1:00 p.m. for two minutes.  The event is open to the public.  For those unable to attend the vigil, the service will be broadcast live via the Internet at the following sites:

· Governor Sonny Perdue's official web site – www.gov.state.ga.us

· Georgia Department of Defense – www.dod.state.ga.us

· State of Georgia web site – www.georgia.gov

· Georgia Public Broadcasting – www.gpb.org

Text of the Executive Order is provided below.  A run-of-show and list of participants for the prayer vigil is also provided. 

Executive Order

WHEREAS:  On August 18, 2005, the State of Georgia will recognize a statewide prayer vigil remembering those who laid down their lives and honoring those who remain in the service of their country in Afghanistan and Iraq ; and

WHEREAS:  Throughout Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the brave men and women of America's armed forces have taken action to defend this nation; and

WHEREAS:  We proudly honor the sacrifices made by all who have served and those who continue to serve our country on the field of battle; and

WHEREAS:  We, as thankful and humble people, offer our thoughts, appreciation, and prayers to these heroes and their families;

NOW THEREFORE, IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF OUR NATION DURING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED:  That on the 18th day of August, 2005, the flags on all state buildings and grounds be flown at half-staff until sunset.

This 17th day of August, 2005.

(Signed: Sonny Perdue)

GOVERNOR

Prayer Vigil Run-of-show

Prelude Music (12:30 p.m.) – 116th Army Band , Georgia Army National Guard

Call to order – Governor Perdue

Posting of the Colors – Joint Services Color Guard

National Anthem – Sergeant Renatta Draper, U.S. Army Ground Forces Band

Moment of Silence (1 p.m.) – Governor Perdue

Taps – Sergeant Harry Childs, Georgia Army National Guard

Prayer for our servicemembers – Colonel Bob Eldridge, Chaplain, U.S. Army Forces Command

Prayer for families who have lost loved ones – Rabbi Paul Kerbel, Congregation Etz Chaim

Prayer for families of servicemembers – Dr. Gerald Durley, Senior Pastor, Providence Missionary Baptist Church

Prayer for political and military leaders – Dr. Gil Watson, Senior Pastor, Northside United Methodist Church

Prayer for Peace – Msgr. Paul Reynolds, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Atlanta

Amazing Grace (bagpipes) – Officer Dan Bray, Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard

Comments – Mr. David Ratcliffe, Chairman , Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Closing Comments – Governor Perdue

Retiring of the Colors – Joint Services Color Guard

Postlude Music (1:30 p.m.) – 116th Army Band , Georgia Army National Guard